Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Traditionally, on the day before your wedding, the festivities get started with a rehearsal. Over time, this function has split into two separate events, a practice session along with a meal. The meal brings together close friends and family, generally the same people who attended the rehearsal, plus appropriate others.

Is a rehearsal of the ceremony really necessary?

Although a formal rehearsal of the ceremony is not required, most officiants will want to take a run through of the full program. Those included would be the bride and groom, their parents, the wedding party and any readers/singers. The officiant will give everyone their cues for the next day, so things will go smoothly. Knowing where to stand and what to do will ensure everyone is a fraction less nervous at the wedding.

What if we can't use the wedding site for the rehearsal?

Ideally, you should have the rehearsal at the wedding site. This can be especially valuable if there are young children in the wedding party. Sometimes however, the requirements of the site do not make a rehearsal feasible. A rehearsal can be done in someone's home, or in just about any large space.

What's the function of the rehearsal dinner?

After the rehearsal, everyone gathers for a celebration dinner, where the bride and groom are the center of attention. In this less-formal setting, family members meeting for the first time can mingle and get better acquainted. Unlike the Big Day, the bride and groom are under less pressure and have more time to talk with relatives in a relaxed fashion.

Once everyone has arrived and is seated, either the bride or groom should take a moment to welcome their guests with a few heartfelt words and thank them for attending.

Numerous toasts are usually part of the rehearsal dinner. If you need someone to start the toasts, the groom's father is a good choice.

Who should be invited to the dinner?

The rehearsal dinner guest list should include immediate family, (parents and siblings) wedding-party members and any spouses and significant others along with the parents of any child attendants. You should invite the officiant and his/her spouse to the dinner, unless it's a civil service. If you have out-of-town guests who have already arrived for the wedding, you can invite them to the dinner portion of the evening.

Who handles the costs of the dinner?

The groom's parents traditionally paid, but these days it can be hosted by anyone. No matter who hosts, be sure they are involved in the entire planning process.

Is it necessary to send formal invitations to the rehearsal dinner?

No, engraved invitations are not necessary, unless you're planning an event as big and formal as the wedding reception. For most couples, word-of-mouth or simple phone calls are fine.

When is the rehearsal dinner?

Often, this event is on the eve of the wedding, however it could be anytime during that day, as in morning, noon, or evening. The term "dinner" is used loosely.

Where should the dinner be held?

Where you hold the event will depend on the number of people you expect to attend and the costs involved. The options are wide open, from a casual barbecue in the backyard to a table for twenty-five at the local country club. Keep in mind, relaxation and chatting are high priorities at this event. The location should also be convenient for out-of-town guests, who may not be familiar with your city. Provide a detailed map if necessary.

Should I handout gifts during the dinner?

In addition to family members meeting each other, the dinner provides an excellent opportunity for the couple to hand out their attendant's thank-you gifts. Chances are, this setting will be much less hectic than the reception and can make the gift giving more personalized. The couple should present their parents or anyone else who was an important part of the wedding process, with a token of appreciation.

Kathryn Lemmon, Wedding Zone Staff Writer

Floral Traditions And Trends 2012

Nothing quite captures the romance of a couple joining together in matrimony like the beauty and sensuous scents of nature's magnificent creations, flowers. But, more than just decoration, flowers set the tone and make a personal statement about the couple.

For centuries we have associated different flowers with the emotions which underscore the union of two souls - the rose has always symbolized the love between two individuals, for example. Blossoms and greenery have adorned churches, homes, gardens and parks, enhancing the backdrop where lovers wed.

But, the bridal bouquet remains the real focal point for the bride and the florist. Strict rules about bouquets have all but vanished, leaving brides free to design any sort of arrangement they prefer. Flowers are no longer limited to white or cream, although pale blossoms are often chosen because they fit the spirit of the occasion and don't draw attention from the bride. Fall weddings inspire even bolder palettes. For example, burgundy roses arranged with pale, peach-colored blooms make for a stunning and very romantic bouquet. Other color additions include a touch of blue or lavender. Lilacs and hydrangea are popular choices. Red roses and poinsettias remain popular for holiday weddings.

One recent trend has been to simply hand-tie a mass of like-colored roses with ribbon so they look graceful, yet unpretentious. This simple, elegant look has been extremely popular for the past several years and gives the bride more of a natural appearance, as if she just stepped from the garden.

Another new approach is a herb bouquet. An herb bouquet, which also contains flowers, might include a combination of sage, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, orchids and twigs. It smells lovely and will make a wonderful keepsake.

Experts say the choice of your wedding bouquet depends a great deal on the style of your gown. For instance, a bride dressed in Victorian-inspired white lace might select an old-fashioned cluster of sweetheart roses and violets for the bouquet. On the other hand, a bride in a country-style gown might want a more casual profusion of wildflowers and daisies. The most traditional and formal bouquets, however, are usually all white. However, white bouquets can include a bit of fern or ivy for color. The bouquet size should also be in proportion to the bride. Too large an arrangement will overpower and clutter the look of the bride.

Florists advise against making a firm decision on flowers too early in the planning process. As the bride will probably attend weddings and get many ideas from wedding publications, it can be premature to select flowers a year in advance. Color schemes change and ideas change often over a year's time, which can lead to confusion. Four to six months prior to the wedding is usually a better time frame.

It's helpful to a florist if the brides bring in photos (or other visual aids) of the floral arrangements they like, as well as samples of dress fabrics of the bride and attendants.

Florists are now seeing a trend toward having flower decorations at all phases of a wedding, from the ceremony to the reception. Some florists will move flower arrangements from the ceremony sites to the reception sites, then rearrange existing displays into centerpieces or use them to embellish doors, tables, stages, or other areas.

Bridesmaids, mothers, the groom and groomsmen should all wear flower styles which match the theme of the wedding and the bridal bouquet. Bridesmaid flowers should not upstage the bride's ensemble, but it is recommended that the maid of honor have a larger bouquet with a distinct arrangement.

Most popular flowers are associated with a desirable quality. The list below includes some flowers and their special meaning.

Apple Blossoms - good fortune
Baby's Breath - pure heart
Bluebell - constancy
Blue Violet - faithfulness
Daffodil - joy
Gardenia - joy
Gladiolus - generosity
Iris - wisdom
Lily of the Valley - happiness
Magnolia - nobility
Orange Blossom - purity and fertility
Orchid - beauty
Rose - deep love
White Daisy - innocence

Kathryn Lemmon, Wedding Zone Staff Writer

DIY Wedding Favors 2012

Many brides and grooms want to thank all their wedding guests for attending their special day. One way that they do this is by sending home their guests with wedding favors. Unfortunately, many wedding favors fly under the radar and sometimes guests forget to take them home with them. If you are planning to have wedding favors at your wedding, be sure to impress your guests with a favor that will not be soon forgotten. Here are a few DIY wedding favor ideas that will be sure to please you and the rest of your wedding guests as well...

Pre-Packaged S'mores

In clear plastic containers, have separate boxes for the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate pieces. Package each up individually and have one nest on top of one another. Wrap with a decorative ribbon, for a wedding favor that guests will be sure to enjoy!

Flowers, Plants, or Sunflowers

Send guests home with a token that can be enjoyed for years to come. Pre-packaged sunflower seeds or even bulbs placed in special packaging would be an ideal favor, as guests can take these gifts home and have them grow with love. You could have blooms that are already established, planted in decorative containers with a special note from you to your guests decoratively attached to the container.

Customized Stationary

Leave a lovely stack and beautifully wrapped set of monogrammed stationary at each guests' place setting. Personalize each notecard with your new initials and be sure to include envelopes as well. Guests will be sure to use this thoughtful and personalized gift!

Scented Candles

This favor idea is ideal for those having a beach wedding, but would also be perfect for those couples that enjoy candles as well. Place a scented votive candle into a mini pail. Attach a lovely personalized label on the outside of the pail. Have your name and wedding date prominently displayed on the label. You can even customize the color candle to what color dresses the bridesmaids wear. Or you could even choose a scent that you both enjoy to share with your guests.

Jar Gifts

This idea of giving your wedding guests jar gifts has many possibilities! You can simply jar just about anything. Package cookie mix in a clear Mason jar, make a candle within the jar, insert cupcake mix, granola, homemade jam or even hand salve. Personalize the jar with decorative ribbons, color coordinate the jars with your wedding colors, and event attach a personalized recipe if what you packaged needs directions.

As you can see, there are many wedding favors that aren't quite traditional, but do make a big impression with guests and leave a lasting impression with them as well.

About the author: Amanda Cooper is a freelance writer for Wedding Favours Kingdom, which carries an array of wedding accessories, wedding favors and even Christmas Favors. Amanda is a contributing writer for other wedding, travel and home-related websites. When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys reading.

How To Add Music To Your Wedding Ceremony

The importance of your wedding ceremony music should never be underestimated and it is worth spending some time choosing the right songs and music to fit.

Music is a key part of creating an atmosphere and also to fill in those moments when there is a lull in proceedings. Whether you go for pre-recorded or live music it is a great way to personalize your ceremony and set everyone up for the celebrations to come.

With a religious ceremony it is often traditional to have live music, perhaps from an organist, choir or string quartet. You may find you are restricted more on choice with a religious ceremony than you would be with a civil one so you should always run your ideas past your officiant first. With a civil ceremony they must not be any religious references or themes so do check the lyrics on any songs before you add them to the list.

At a civil ceremony it is usual to have a CD player or set up your MP3 player. A civil ceremony is typically quite short so live music may not really be a cost effective choice unless you book them to play at the reception too. Do consider the size of your venue as well, a small venue may not be able to accommodate several musicians as well as all your guests, whilst a large venue and a CD player combination may leave guests at the back struggling to hear! Ask to check out the acoustics when you visit and talk with the officiant about your options.

Finding your perfect music….

There are many CD’s and downloads out there which have compiled the traditional and popular choices for wedding ceremony music and some couples may find their officiant will present them a list of ‘approved’ music and songs to choose from. However, you do not have to go down the traditional route or keep everything classical – think about how your song choices will personalize your ceremony.

You will need to pick music for when you walk up the aisle (processional), when you go to sign the register (interlude) and when you walk back down the aisle as man and wife (recessional). There maybe time constraints to consider however, particularly with a civil ceremony in a register office so do ask how long each piece of music should be.

On a final point you may have favourite tracks or music that you think will fit perfectly in your ceremony, however many have come unstuck with unsuitable lyrics suddenly becoming immediately obvious the moment a track is played on the day! Always check out the lyrics and any alternate meanings before making your final choices – just in case!

About the author: Georgina Clatworthy is a featured columnist for 1Wedding Source and wedding guru helping brides-to-be with their wedding planning. Although she is not associated with Los Willows, she can recommend them as being a stunning San Diego wedding venue.

DJ Value Tips

10 Tips to Get the Most Value for Your Wedding DJ Dollar

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." - Warren Buffett

In this economy, brides and grooms want to get the most value for their money when selecting their wedding DJ. Since DJ rates are determined by a DJ's experience, level of service and quality of equipment, there is little value in hiring the least expensive DJ you can find. Phoenix AZ DJ Billy James offers 10 tips to help you get the best value when hiring your wedding DJ.

1. Travel Time - Most DJ's would rather travel minutes rather than hours to get to your reception. Select a DJ who is located close to your venue and then ask if the reduced travel time could result in a reduced rate.

2. Prime Time - Saturdays are prime time for weddings. If your wedding will not take place on a Saturday, your DJ may consider a reduced rate if it is requested.

3. Number of Hours - Most wedding receptions do not last more than 4 or 5 hours. If your cocktail hour will take place on a patio or foyer, the venue's house system can often provide the background music. Hiring your DJ for an hour of dinner music and 3 hours for dancing may be sufficient. A DJ's 4 hour rate is usually less expensive than a 5 or 6 hour rate.

4. Number of Guests - From a DJ's perspective, a low-key reception for 50 guests has less stress and requires less equipment than a high-powered reception for 200. If you are having a small, simple reception, ask if your DJ will factor that into his pricing.

5. Venue Access - Experienced DJ's love venues with easy access to load their heavy equipment in and out. If your reception venue does not involve parking garages, stairs or elevators, ask your DJ if that advantage can be reflected in his rate.

6. Agencies - Some excellent wedding disc jockeys are represented by agencies. However, when you hire a wedding DJ through an agency, the rate you are quoted will be used to compensate several people. Dealing with a DJ directly, rather than through an agency, may better your chances of getting more entertainment value for your money.

7. Upselling - Some DJ services charge extra for dance floor lighting, wireless microphones, extra speakers, etc. This is called up-selling. You will get more value if you hire a DJ who includes these extras at no additional charge or is willing to give you a lower rate by eliminating these extras.

8. Credit Card Processing - Most professional DJ services accept major credit cards. However, it costs the DJ money to process a credit card. Ask about a discount if you are willing to pay by check or cash.

9. Feeding Your DJ - Catering Directors will often ask if you'd like to provide a meal for your DJ. If you feel that's appropriate, ask for a vendor discount (or box) rather than including the DJ as part of your guest list. A professional DJ will not have time to sit down to a full course dinner and you'll save $$.

10. Don't Be a Bridezilla! - If you are a fun person and easy to work with, then ask for the "I'm not a Bridezilla" discount. You may get one :)

About the author: Phoenix Wedding DJ Billy James is an experienced musician, professional DJ and Master of Ceremonies

A Wedding Date To Remember 11/11/11

Vegas weddings and weddings around the world skyrocket on 11/11/11

It's a day that comes only once every 100 years - 11/11/11. And in Vegas, that means throngs of lovebirds are flocking to chapels to get hitched Friday. "We're surrounded by hundreds of couples who want to get married on 11/11/11," said the Rev. Charlotte Richards, owner of Little White Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas Strip. The chapel has 200 brides and grooms who are either getting hitched for the first time or are renewing their vows. In addition to a beautiful ceremony, Richards said she is offering bridal flowers and dog tags that have the 11/11/11 date inscribed on them. Many couples booked their special day two years in advance. At least 75 additional staff members were needed to accommodate the demand at Little White Wedding Chapel. "We have 17 ministers, limousine drivers, greeters, videographers," Richards said. In 30 of the weddings, an Elvis impersonator will serenade the couple. Closer to downtown, the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel is equally abuzz. It has 190 weddings booked, with the first starting at midnight. That means about four weddings every 30 minutes throughout the day, with only a couple of hours of down time for a break. General Manager Brian Mills calls his establishment "The Fun Chapel." Couples can have Blues Brothers or Marilyn Monroe impersonators as officiators. They can also have a Camelot-themed wedding or one with an Elvis impersonator, complete with a 1964 pink Cadillac convertible that drives the couple down the aisle. The couples include 18- and 19-year-olds; military personnel who are about to get deployed and want a quick wedding; and some who are renewing their vows. "Part of the thrill is that it'll be a day the couple won't forget -- as in it will be easy to remember your anniversary," Mills said. He said he's already looking forward to 12/12/12.

These unique wedding dates became popular at the turn of the century with 1/1/2001. The most popular was 7/7/2007. If you would like to have your wedding on a unique date that comes only once every century, next year will be your last chance! Start planning your 12/12/2012 wedding today...

Newsfeed, MSNBC

Appreciation Gifts For Your Bridal Party

When a newly engaged couple begins to plan out their wedding, typically they choose a few close family members or friends to stand by them while exchanging their vows. The bridal party can be as large or small depending on what the couple prefers. No matter the size of the bridal party, their assistance and support with the wedding is priceless. To show how much you appreciate them participating in your wedding day, give them a gift that they will truly never forget. Here are a few fabulous ideas for the entire wedding party.

Gifts for the Entire Wedding Party

Personalized Beverage Coozies - Have your bridal party drink in style with their name and their role in your wedding displayed on the outside part of the coozie. This is a perfect gift and it can be used well after the wedding is over.

Personalized Shot Glasses - Cheers! Personalize beautiful shot glasses with your bridal party's name and your wedding date. Make them feel extra special by getting Bridesmaid, Groomsman, Maid of Honor or Best Man engraved on the shot glass as well.

Bridal Party Baseball Caps - Are you really in to sports and want to try and incorporate that into your wedding festivities? Shower your bridal party and family members with baseball caps! From the Father of the Bride to your Best Man, these bridal party baseball caps will surely get everyone's spirit soaring!

Engraved Key Chains - Have your bridal party remember how appreciate you are of them every time they get into their car with a engraved key chain depicting their name and a personalized message from you.

Monogrammed Stemless Wine Glasses - Surprise your bridal party by giving them a beautiful set of monogrammed stemless wine glasses. Perfect for both the bridesmaids and the groomsmen!

Gifts Just For The Bridesmaids

Monogrammed Compacts - Show those special ladies in your bridal party that they mean so much to you, by gifting them with a beautiful compact! Every time your bridesmaids search through their purse for their compact mirror, they will be sure to think of you!

Wedding Day Accessories - Give your bridesmaids something that they will cherish for years to come, a beautiful jewelry set, which they can wear on your wedding day. Earrings, necklace and a bracelet would be a thoughtful and gorgeous way to say thank you to your bridesmaids.

About the author: Amanda Cooper is a freelance writer for Wedding Favours Kingdom, which carries an array of wedding accessories, Wedding Favours, and candle wedding favours. Amanda is also a writer for other travel and wedding-related websites. When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys cooking for friends and family.

Live Wedding Music

How to book a wedding band

The one way to guarantee a memorable end to your wedding is day is to hire a live band. The live atmosphere is an excuse for people to get up and dance to the music, even if they're usually not the type. Whether it's motown, swing, pop/ or rock you're into, then you'll most certainly have been browsing on google and found it a little overwhelming. With so many bands to choose from, all at different prices and many appearing to be similar at what they do, it can hard to pick the right band.

Most people haven't really ever had a reason to book a wedding band before, so if you're not sure how it works, hopefully this article will give you a point in the right direction! I'm going to take you through the process of how to find a wedding band, some guidelines about the wedding reception running order and some things to think about before hiring a band.

Where do I start?

Before booking a band, you obviously want to hear the music that you like so if you're looking for a swing band, the easiest thing to do is type it in Google and see who comes up. Of course, it's difficult to know how good a band is live but their demo's, website and photos are usually a good indication of how serious a band is. If a band's been together for 8 years and are coming up at the top on Google, they must be doing something right. If you want to be 100% sure about a band you either need to watch them play live or book through a reputable entertainment agency. Watching a band play live first isn't as easy as it might sound because event bands very rarely play in public. Hiring a band through a music agency means they've been checked out and are up to a high standard. Remember, you usually get what you pay for!

Booking your Band

Once you've found a band you like, make an inquiry sending over the date, location of the wedding and rough timings. Most bands will quote for 2 x 45 minute sets or 3 x 40 minutes. If the band is available and you want to go ahead, the band or agency will send over a contract, which would be signed by yourself and the band. A deposit of around 20% - 30% is usually required to secure the booking.

Payment

With the deposit paid, you'll be expected to pay the remaining fee to the agency a few weeks before the date or alternatively you may need to pay the band on the night, it all depends on the route you've gone down.

Article submitted by Adam Mezzatesta

Selecting Your Attendants

How do you pick your bridesmaids and groomsmen?

Why is it that wedding planning always seems to bog down when it comes to planning out the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen to have in the ceremony? Even if a couple can agree on the number to have, how do you decide which people you should ask to be your attendants?

These questions have been asked by nearly every bride for the last 50 years (or at least as long as women have been planning their own weddings). While the question of who to have as your wedding attendants is a little harder to answer than the number you should have, both questions have fairly simple answers.

How Many Attendants Should You Have?

When it comes to the number of attendants that should be in your ceremony, there really is no “right” or “wrong” number. However, it is with a sigh of relief that most brides hear that there is a general rule of thumb regarding the number of attendants, and that it is based off of the size and formality of your wedding.

- Large and/or Formal Weddings (200+ guests). For large and/or formal weddings, it is generally accepted that between 6-10 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen will be in the ceremony.

- Semi-Formal/Medium Sized Weddings (100-200 guests). For Semi-Formal and/or medium sized weddings the standard rule of thumb is between 1-6 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen.

- Casual / Small Sized Weddings (under 100 guests). For Casual or small sized weddings having just a best man and maid of honor is acceptable, though 1-2 additional sets of attendants is not unheard of.

- Second Marriages. Normally for second marriages there are no attendants, though those with children may choose to have them as part of the ceremony.

How Do You Choose Your Attendants?

Deciding who to ask to be your bridesmaids or groomsmen can provide even more headaches, especially if you come from a large family or have a large number of close friends. Again, thankfully, tradition has a few thoughts on the matter.

- Selecting your maid of honor/best man. Selecting a maid of honor or best man is actually fairly simple. A best friend; someone special on whom you can depend is the traditional choice for a maid of honor or a best man. While many times it is a friend, you can also choose a brother, sister or even father or mother to fill these roles.

- Selecting your bridesmaids/groomsmen. Selecting your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen is a more difficult task, especially if you have a large number of friends or family. But traditionally choosing close friends or family members who are close to you is an acceptable way of choosing your bridesmaids or groomsmen.

While choosing the number of attendants and deciding who those attendants should be can be a sticky point in your wedding planning, hopefully knowing what the traditionally accepted numbers and choices are can help you in smoothing out the details of your big day.

About the author: Sarah Rigos is founder of the leading cash registry, Starlight Registry.

Theme Wedding Ideas

Theme Weddings: how to make your special day even more special.

Weddings are events often organized with respect for tradition: religious ceremony, white wedding gown, fine banquet and so on. But behind every ceremony, there are two people, whose desires and personality may lead to the wish to give their wedding a touch of uniqueness and personalization. A good way to do that, without giving up traditions, is to plan a theme wedding.

Theme weddings can be of many different kinds. Here you are some examples, to be inspired from:

Beach Weddings

For people who love the seaside and want a young and fresh wedding, a wedding on the beach can be the perfect option. The idea is a good fit also for low-cost venues, as luxury restaurants and expensive decorations can be replaced by a rich buffet and simple but colourful flowers.

History-inspired weddings

A Medieval, 9th Century or Gone with The Wind style wedding: a multitude of ideas comes from history and there’s almost no limit to what it can suggest to make your wedding very original, especially if you choose the right location to increase the effect. Try to think, for example, to a Roman-style wedding in Rome, with the Coliseum as a perfect background.

Fairy tales inspired weddings

A wedding venue good enough for a princess: which girl has never thought about a wedding in a castle? Hotels and restaurant located in old restored castles are not impossible to find, especially for wedding venues in Italy and in France.

Personalized wedding venues

A theme wedding does not necessary need a huge effort. A wedding venue can be personalized also thanks to a few simple details. A good idea could be to pick up a specific theme according to the bride’s style, like a colour or the favourite flower, and choose the decoration according to this choice. Other original and simple ideas to give the venue a personal touch could be to write your own wedding vows or to organize special activities to entertain the guests.

Planning a theme wedding can be very complicated. For this reason, it could be a good idea to hire a professional wedding planner, especially if you choose to celebrate your wedding abroad. Involving friends and relatives could be also useful, so that they can enter the “themed” atmosphere in the best possible way.

Whatever support you decide to get, the most important thing to remember is that who has to make the final decisions is the couple. This is what really makes a wedding personalized.

Article submitted by Dimple Lalji